ABSTRACT
Objective:To observe the effect of mirror visual feedback training on upper limb function and muscle tension in children with spastic hemiplegia resulting from cerebral palsy (SHCP).Methods:Seventy-six children aged 2-5 with SHCP were randomly divided into a control group of 33 and a treatment group 34. All were given routine occupational therapy, physical therapy, massage and physical agents. Each therapy session lasted 30 minutes daily, 5 times a week over 3 weeks as a course of treatment. There was a one week interval after each of 6 courses, so the total treatment lasted 6 months. The treatment group was additionally trained with mirror visual feedback with the same schedule. Before, as well as after 3 and 6 months of treatment, each patient′s upper limb motor function, fine motor function and muscle tone were evaluated using the Fugl-Meyer motor function assessment scale (FMA), the Peabody fine motor development scales (PDMS-FM), the modified Ashworth scale (MAS) and integrated electromyograms (iEMGs).Results:There were no significant differences between the two groups before treatment. After both 3 and 6 months significant improvement was observed in both groups′ average FMA score, PDMS-FM total score, grip, and visual motor integration. At both points the treatment group′s averages were significantly better than those of the control group. The average MAS and iEMG results, however, were not significantly different at either time point.Conclusions:For children with spastic hemiplegia caused by cerebral palsy, mirror visual feedback training can effectively improve upper limb functioning, but it cannot reduce their muscle tone.